Improvement in fences



` both sides nea-r the top to receive the upper ends DAVID RHODES, OF FREDERIOKTOWN, MISSOURI.

IMPROVEMENT IN FENCES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 119,047, dated September 19, 1871 To aZZ 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID RHODES, of Fredericktown, in the county of Madison and State of Missouri, have invented `certain new and useful Improvements in Fences 5 and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawing making part of this speciiication, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of panels A A A. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of panels D D D. Fig. 3 is a plan view of panels A with the runningbraces k in section.

This invention relates to certain improvements in that class offence known as worm-fence; and consists of a panel composed of rive planks, four of which are notched neareach end; the fifth being slotted at one end and tenoned at the other, secured equally distant by battens or cleats; the object of the invention being to produce a portable plank worm-fence.

In the drawing, a a are the two upper planks; b b, the two lower planks, and c, the center plank in the panel. Each plank a a b b is provided with a double notchfd ZZ, at one end and a single notch, e, at the other end, in the reverse edges of the plank. lThe plank c is provided with a slot, f, at one end and a tenon, g, at the other. In the panel A, Fig. 1, six battens are used, three on each side of the panel. The outer or end battens h are beveled on their outer edges, and notched on their inner edges near the bottom to receive the ends of the side-supporting braces t', which are four in number, two on each side ofthe panel. The battens j are notched on of the braces t. In making the panel the notches d OZ' of the planks a ct areA in the under edge and the notches e in the upper edge, while in the planks b b the notches cZ Z are in the upper edge and the notches e in the lower edge. It will be observed that the planks a a and b b are made precisely alike, but-are placed in the panel as above described. The double notches Z d and slot f are at one end of the panel and the single notches c and tenons g at ,the other. The outer edges of the battens h are in line with the inner edges of the notches eZ and e. Two panels A, are put together by placing the panels at right angles to each other, an end, B, having the single notches e and tenons g, coming in contact with an end, C, having the double notches Z cZ and slot j'. The ends of the planks a a b b at the end B enter the cZ portion of the double notch, and A the tenon g at the end B enters the slot f in the C end of an adjoining panel. The two panels are then opened or pressed outwardly until the ends of the planks come in contact with the beveled surface of the battens h. Two runningbraces, Ic, extend from the center of one panel to the center of another, and are provided with notches Z in each end, one lip of each notch Z being longer than the other. The braces lc are passed between the two upper and two lower planks, the longer lip of the notch Z being inserted between the battensj, the shorter lip pressing outwardly against one of said battens. The braces la should be made of such length that, after inserting the longer lip at one end, it will be necessary to press the panels outwardly and use a slight amount of force to insert the other end of the brace k in place. The object of providing the plank c with the slot j' and tenon g is that they may be used as guides in putting up and taking down the panels 5 also to prevent the shoulders of the notches from being split oi in the operation. In the panel D the battens j, side-supporting' braces Z, and running-braces k are omitted.V The running-braces 7c may be omitted and the battens j and braces t' used where economy is desired. The battens j, side-braces z', and running-braces 7c give great strength to the fence; but they may be omitted where great economy is desired.

Having thus described my improvements, what I claim as new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The panel D, composed of the planks a a and b 'b provided with the single notches c and double notches cZ d', plank c provided with the slot f and tenon g, and battens h, all arranged relatively one to the other, as and for the purpose hereinbefore specified. Y

In testimony that I claim the foregoing improvement in fences, as above described, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 17th day of July, 1871.

DAVID RHODES. [n s.]

Witnessesz JArms D. FOX, WM. N. NALLE. (130.) 

